16:16 Christ. Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and King prophesied in the Old Testament (1:1 note).

the Son of the living God. The meaning of the title “Son of God” is different from that of pagan literature. In the Old Testament, the anointed king was called a “son” of God (2 Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7). Israel as a whole is also God’s “son” (Ex. 4:22), and Jesus fulfills this status of Israel (2:15 note). As applied to Jesus, the title reflects Jesus’ unique relation to the Father (11:27; 21:38). He is acknowledged by the Father as “my beloved Son” (3:17; 17:5). Peter’s understanding was given to him from above, going beyond what he could have discerned on his own.